Londonz 1802 Poem

Department of English, MKBU.

As being the Student of this College i am writing a blog on the given task based on the work of Willam Wordsworth"s poem London 1802.

London 1802

by: Willam Wordsworth

London, 1802 Poem 

        by: Willam Wordsworth 

            

Milton! thou shouldst be living at this hour:

England hath need of thee: she is a fen

Of stagnant waters: altar, sword, and pen,

Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower,

Have forfeited their ancient English dower

Of inward happiness. We are selfish men;

Oh! raise us up, return to us again;

And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power.

Thy soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart:

Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea:

Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free,

So didst thou travel on life's common way,

In cheerful godliness; and yet thy heart

The lowliest duties on herself did lay     

#London 1802 by willam wordsworth:

Summary :

The poem begins with Wordsworth addressing the spirit of the great English poet John Milton, who lived in the 17th century and authored works like "Paradise Lost." Wordsworthin expresses his longing for Milton's return to England, as he believes that England is a state of moral and spiritual decay in the year 1802.

Wordsworth laments the sorry state of England, which he describes as being overrun by materialism, corruption, and moral degradation. He contrasts this with the idealized image of Milton, whom he considers a paragon of virtue and poetic excellence. Wordsworth believes that Milton's spirit could serve as a guiding light to help restore England to its former glory.

The poem ends with Wordsworth expressing his hope that England will once again become a land of "noble natures, and pure joys," and that Milton's "soul" would be a source of inspiration for the people to lead them towards a better and more virtuous future.

In summary, "London, 1802" is a plea by Wordsworth for a return to the values and virtues he associates with England's past, with John Milton serving as an idealized symbol of that past. Wordsworth is critical of the contemporary state of his country and hopes for a revival of its moral and spiritual qualities.

London poem 1802

Analysis:Explanation Line by Line

1. "Milton! thou shouldst be living at this hour:"

he speaker addresses John Milton, the renowned English poet of the 17th century, expressing the wish that he were alive in the speaker's time.

1. 2. "England hath need of thee: she is a fen"

   • The speaker asserts that England is in a state of decay or stagnation, likening it to a swamp or fen.

2. 3. "Of stagnant waters: altar, sword, and pen,"

   • The imagery of stagnant waters symbolizes the stagnation and lack of progress in England. The mention of "altar, sword, and pen" signifies various aspects of English society, including religion, military, and literature.

3. 4. "Fireside, the heroic wealth of hall and bower,"

   • The reference to the "fireside" and the "heroic wealth of hall and bower" represents domestic life and the traditional values associated with it.

4. 5. "Have forfeited their ancient English dower"

   • The poet suggests that these institutions and values have lost their original English qualities and have become diminished or corrupted.

5. 6. "Of inward happiness. We are selfish men;"

   • The people of England are described as selfish and lacking in true happiness.

6. 7. "Oh! raise us up, return to us again;"

   • The speaker implores Milton to come back to life and guide or inspire the people of England.

7. 8. "And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power."

   • The speaker asks Milton to instill in England qualities such as good manners, virtue, freedom, and strength.

8. 9. "Thy soul was like a Star, and dwelt apart:"

   • Here, the poet praises Milton's soul as being exceptional, like a distant star that stands out and is separate from the ordinary.

9. 10. "Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea:"

   • Milton is admired for having a powerful and resonant voice, often compared to the vast and majestic sound of the sea.

10. 11. "Pure as the naked heavens, majestic, free,"

    • Milton's character is described as pure and majestic, akin to the clear and untainted sky.

11. 12. "So didst thou travel on life's common way,"

    • Despite his exceptional qualities, Milton lived a life that was ordinary and followed the path of the common man.

12. 13. "In cheerful godliness; and yet thy heart"

    • Milton's life was characterized by a joyful devotion to God and righteousness.

13. 14. "The lowliest duties on herself did lay."

• Milton was diligent in fulfilling even the humblest of duties and responsibilities.
• Conclusion:
• In this poem, the speaker yearns for the return of a figure like Milton, who possessed moral and intellectual greatness, in order to revitalize England and restore its values and virtues, which the speaker believes have declined over time. The poem is a call for a reawakening of
• national spirit and a return to the principles and qualities associated with England.
• #Major themes of Willam Wordsworth" London ,1802" Poem:

1.Nostalgia and Yearning for the Past: The poem is marked by a deep sense of nostalgia as the speaker yearns for a better England, one that existed in the past. The reference to the year "1802" suggests a longing for an earlier, more virtuous time.

1. 2. Idealization of the Past: The poem idealizes the England of John Milton's era (the 17th century). It portrays that period as a time of greater moral and spiritual values, contrasting it with the perceived moral decline of the contemporary London in 1802.

2. 3. Moral and Spiritual Decline: Wordsworth expresses concern about the moral and spiritual decline of society in his own time. He characterizes London in 1802 as a place of "stagnant waters" and suggests that the nation has lost its moral compass.

3. 4. Call for Restoration: A central theme of the poem is the call for the restoration of England's former greatness. The speaker implores John Milton, a revered poet and intellectual of the past, to come back to life and guide the English people, suggesting that through his influence, the nation can be renewed and its virtues restored.

4. 5. Power of Poetry and Literature: The poem underscores the power of literature and poetry to inspire change and renewal. It emphasizes the influence of great poets like Milton in shaping the values and identity of a nation.

5. 6. Individual and Collective Responsibility: Wordsworth stresses the responsibility of individuals, including poets, to contribute to the betterment of society. He suggests that even the "lowliest duties" should be embraced with dedication and integrity to effect positive change.

6. 7. National Identity: The poem grapples with questions of national identity and what it means to be English. It suggests that England's identity is rooted in its cultural and moral heritage, represented by figures like Milton.

7. 8. Cultural Continuity: Wordsworth highlights the idea of cultural continuity and the passing down of values and traditions from one generation to the next. He sees Milton as a symbol of this continuity.

- In summary, "London, 1802" is a poem that reflects Wordsworth's concerns about the moral and spiritual state of England in his time, juxtaposed with an idealized vision of the past. It is a call for a return to traditional values, a lament for the perceived decline of society, and an assertion of the enduring power of literature and individuals to effect positive change.

# Literary Devices of Willam Wordsworth London, 1802 Poem:

"London, 1802" by William Wordsworth employs several literary devices to convey its themes and emotions. Here are some of the key literary devices used in the poem: 1. **Allusion**: The poem makes a prominent use of allusion by referencing John Milton, a renowned English poet of the 17th century. Milton serves as a symbol of moral and intellectual greatness and is used as a reference point for the poem's themes. 2. **Imagery**: Imagery is used to create vivid mental pictures. Phrases like "stagnant waters," "altar, sword, and pen," and "Pure as the naked heavens" paint visual and sensory images that help convey the poem's message. 3. **Metaphor**: The poem contains metaphorical language to compare and contrast different aspects of England's past and present. For example, England is described as a "fen of stagnant waters," likening it to a swamp, and Milton's soul is compared to a star. 4. **Simile**: The poem employs similes to make comparisons. An example is the line "Thou hadst a voice whose sound was like the sea," where Milton's voice is compared to the majestic sound of the sea. 5. **Personification**: There is an element of personification in the line "And give us manners, virtue, freedom, power," where abstract concepts like manners and virtue are personified as if they can be granted by a person. 6. **Repetition**: The poem uses repetition of phrases and words for emphasis. The repetition of "Thou shouldst be living at this hour" at the beginning of the poem reinforces the speaker's longing for Milton's presence. 7. **Enjambment**: Enjambment is used throughout the poem, with lines flowing into the next without a pause. This creates a sense of continuity and urgency in the speaker's plea. 8. **Symbolism**: John Milton is used as a symbol in the poem, representing the ideals of moral and intellectual greatness from the past that the speaker wishes to see restored. 9. **Irony**: There is an element of irony in the poem, as the speaker acknowledges Milton's virtuous qualities while simultaneously lamenting the lack of such virtues in his own time. 10. **Oxymoron**: The phrase "cheerful godliness" contains an oxymoron, juxtaposing cheerfulness and godliness to highlight Milton's unique character. 11. **Hyperbole**: Hyperbole is used when the speaker describes Milton's voice as being "like the sea," emphasizing its power and grandeur. - These literary devices contribute to the overall impact and effectiveness of the poem, helping to convey the speaker's longing for a better England and the need for moral and spiritual renewal.